CACFP Information for Child Care Centers

Benefits for Child Care Centers

• Who does CACFP serve in child care centers?
  • Infants and children under age 13.
  • Migrant children under age 15.
  • Individuals with disabilities who receive care in a child care center where most participants are under age 18.
• Which child care centers are eligible for CACFP?
  • A 501-c3 nonprofit.
  • A for-profit child care center. For-profit institutions are eligible to participate if 25% of enrolled participants or 25% of the license capacity of the institutions are CCCAP beneficiaries or are eligible for Free and Reduced meals as documented by valid and current Income Eligibility Forms.
• Why apply to CACFP?
  • For child care centers, participation in CACFP:
    • Helps cover the cost of two meals and a daily snack per child that are aligned with licensing rules. Savings can be used for other child care program needs.
      • How much money you might receive?
        • Cost Benefit tool in English. (PDF)
        • Cost Benefit tool in Spanish (Español). (PDF)
    • Offers nutrition education and professional development opportunities for child care center staff.
    • Supports marketing of the program to families who want their children to receive nutritious meals.
    • Can support the cost of staff responsible for carrying out the CACFP program.
• For children, participation in CACFP:
  • Exposes them to new, healthy foods.
  • Provides healthy meals so they can learn, thrive, and be curious about the world around them.
  • Supports their social skills and language development during meal time.
• For families, participation in CACFP:
  • Helps them stretch their food resources at home.
  • Supports the healthy development of their children during the critical early years.
  • Provides ideas about different meal choices to try at home.

Printable brochures

• Child Care Center brochure in English. (PDF)
• Child Care Center brochure in Español (Spanish). (PDF)
• Child Care Center brochure in العربية (Arabic). (PDF)